Health Dept takes steps to address GBS cases in AP
PNS n Vijayawada
In response to the rising number of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) cases in Andhra Pradesh, Special Chief Secretary for Health, Medical and Family Welfare, M.T. Krishna Babu, has directed the Managing Director of the Andhra Pradesh Medical Services and Infrastructure Development Corporation (APMSIDC) to ensure an adequate supply of immunoglobulin at Central Drug Stores across the state.
GBS is a rare autoimmune neurological disorder in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the peripheral nerves, causing muscle weakness, numbness, and tingling sensations. It is not contagious and does not affect the brain or spinal cord.
As of February 14, 17 patients are undergoing treatment for GBS at various Government General Hospitals in the state. Notably, five patients are receiving care at the Government General Hospital in Guntur, with two having been discharged recently. The affected patients are from Giddalur, Narasaraopet, Konaseema, and Guntur districts.
Authorities have assured the public that there is no need to panic, as Government General Hospitals are well-equipped to handle GBS cases, with promising recovery outcomes. Moreover, treatment for GBS is covered under the state’s Dr NTR Vaidya Seva scheme.
Most GBS cases have been reported from areas with advanced neurological facilities, including Visakhapatnam, Kakinada, Guntur, Tirupati, and Kurnool. However, there is no indication that the cases are linked to any specific geographic region.
Approximately 80% of GBS cases are mild, with many patients recovering without requiring immunoglobulin. However, 10-15% may develop severe symptoms that necessitate intensive care and immunoglobulin treatment. On average, 10-15 patients are treated each month at hospitals such as KGH Visakhapatnam, GGH Kakinada, GGH Guntur, and GGH Kurnool.
Common symptoms of GBS include progressive muscle weakness starting in the legs and spreading to the arms and face, numbness, tingling, pain in the extremities, difficulty walking due to leg weakness, difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), and, in severe cases, respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation.
Diagnosis of GBS involves a thorough medical history, physical examination, electromyography (EMG), nerve conduction studies (NCS), and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis.
The primary treatment approaches include plasmapheresis (a procedure to remove harmful antibodies from the blood), immunotherapy to reduce inflammation and modulate the immune system, supportive therapies such as physical, occupational, and respiratory therapy, and pain management through medications and alternative treatments.
